"Well, like I said, I'm a bit rusty too, so don't worry about it," he said, moving his knight. "I seriously don't know anything about Cassi that would tell me what she likes. She just doesn't share that information. Jeez, she wouldn't ask me for a crumb if she was starving." Absently watching Annie make her move, he pondered that. Was that a part of a condition? It was more than likely just a part of her low self-esteem, but it was still sort of sad. Having friends and family was all about closeness after all.

Annie went about moving one of the pawns on her side of the chess board, "Alright, if you say so. We could get her a nice care basket--some art supplies, new Quidditch gloves, maybe even a stuffed animal from us. She was talking about one that she really wanted at one moment and a new one would promote new positive memories maybe stitch her name into it with rune thread and infuse it with a spell that would comfort her and maybe throw in--or some how also infuse it with positive memories, ones we helped create."

"That all sounds great!" he exclaimed, scanning the board for moves she could do later before moving his own pawn forward a square. "But see, that's what I mean. I just don't know her as well as you do. The stuffed animal sounds nice though. I'm sure her snuggling up with one would be adorable." Chuckling to himself at the image, he waited for Annie's next move, trying not to wake Cassi up. All of Annie's suggestions were awesome. It was just that he wasn't sure what Cassi would like more, or what Annie would like more. It was certainly a good thing that Christmas was three months away.

"Yeah, I was pretty sure it would," Anniebelle commented as she moved another of her pawns, "You will learn to know her like I do, she's rather easy to get to know--if you let her get to know you. Now, what I need to do is figure out what to get you for Christmas, maybe you could tell me some more of the things you like or something. Maybe I can learn to read you, like I have begun to learn to read her."

"I know. It's just that she seems like a turtle sometimes. She's adamant that no one see inside her shell at all, though she can't prevent peeks. I'm not blaming her, of course. It's just an observation," Jacob replied, moving another one of his pieces as bait to take one of hers next turn. He honestly doubted that she wouldn't see his move; it was blatantly obvious, but it was actually a cover for a later move he planned to implement. "I'm just a simple sort of guy. Gypsies typically are though, at least from my experience. I tend to look more for things I need than want, so I can't really help you there. Maybe Cassi can help you like you helped me?"

"Well, it's hard to be yourself, when you were punished for being yourself at home. If you were forced to be as fake as a reproduction eight-hundred dollar designer bag you would have difficulties adjusting, too. I don't blame her either, it's not her fault. Simple, so bare necessities--maybe a new robe or something, I could teach you how to use a broom better," Anniebelle spoke softly chewing on her lip. "I guess it's just the fact that I'm rather open, considerate, and giving. Maybe I won't need her help, but maybe her added opinion would be nice and it would help, too."

"They punished her? I just can't believe she was sad that they died," Jacob replied, shaking his head in wonder. How could people be so cruel and heartless? It made absolutely no sense. Nodding along to her following statement, he continued. "Remember, she is quite perceptive, so she may pick up something you miss. I know I'll be asking her for help for you. What kind of music do you like? I suppose that's a start. I myself, as a gypsy, prefer country-ish music. I'm assuming you hate it with a passion like most people, but feel free to correct me."

"Well, in a sense I think she was punished, they quit treating her right, when she got big enough to where her size wasn't normal among other things. Yes, she is and I will be asking her for a bit of help and she probably will pick up something I missed. I grew up with a lot of Celtic and Folk music--it's similar to country, but it's not about the lot of things country is about. If you hear a deeper meaning and an Irish accent you've got it right on the nose, I play the violin at times. I like heavier music too, sometimes it really depends on the mood I'm in," Anniebelle replied.

"Neglect is still abuse. It's ridiculous though. That's not even half of a good reason!" Jacob said, glaring at something only he could see. He shook himself out of it to listen to the rest of Annie's reply, though he was still angry at Cassi's late parents. "It's not so much about the meaning as it is about the sound, though both are good. Definitely better than gypsy music, although the dancing is quite pleasant if you know what I mean. Maybe I'll show you some of them."

((I'm going to try and ignore the fact that you called Country music shallow. XP))

"Yes, I know neglect is still abuse, but when they're your parents and they're the only thing you have known for certain in you life you still love them and will morn them. For me music is the meaning and sound, if it's all about love and broken hearts don't want to hear it--I'm more of an Earthy person I guess. The only country that really appeals to me is an artist that goes by Johnny Cash. I've never really heard much gypsy music, but I have listened to it on the internet from time to time, they dancing is beautiful and I would love to see you dance some time," Anniebelle grinned.

Nodding along, Jacob agreed silently with Annie as he moved his next piece. "See, I'm the opposite," he said, eyeing the board to make sure of his move before letting go of the piece. "I listen to music for the sound. The words are pretty much meaningless to me. I usually only listen to it when I'm working because the sound helps me think. Johnny Cash is a wonderful artist. His songs always help speed my thoughts along. I'll make sure to show you a dance for sure then. They can be quite fun to perform."

Anniebelle moved another of her pawns--more interested in the conversation than the chess game, "Well at least we both share a liking for music which is nice to know. Seeing that you like the sound more than the words--I could pull out my violin sometime and play for you. I'm glad I'm not the only one who knows of Johnny Cash--it's good it that helps you focus. Maybe I could pick up and learn some tasteful music for you to dance to."

"That's true. It's always nice to know your friends share your likes and such, even if not in the same way," Jacob replied, absently making his next move. "I do like the violin. Have you heard 'The Devil Went Down to Georgia?' The dancing part sounds nice as well. Gypsy dances are very adaptable. I've seen them performed to rock music if you believe it." Eyeing Cassi out of the corner of his eye, Jacob turned to make sure she was okay as she wriggled fitfully, settling down after a few seconds. She hadn't had a nightmare since the day prior, so hopefully she was enjoying her sleep for once. Frowning, he turned back to Annie, listening to her reply intently.

"Yup--yes I have heard 'The Devil When Down to Georgia'. I can definitely believe that gypsy's can dance to rock music, I've seen it danced to Romanian rap over the internet--seeing that I can't do magic outside of school I just mess around on the internet and play games, that and study my previously learned material. I used to partake in the Saint Patties day festival in Dublin as a dancer, maybe you would be up to seeing the traditional Irish dances," Anniebelle grinned as she moved moved one of her rooks.

((Sorry, I've been busy all week. :sweat:))

"I've been to Ireland for a dancing competition my parents wanted to take part in. All that footwork is insane. I could never do it," Jacob replied, moving his bishop three squares to the right, diagonally of course. "Maybe I could come visit then? I'm pretty free over the summer. That's usually when I get most of my experiments done." Standing suddenly, he went and grabbed two bottles of soda that he had stashed away. They were clear, yet they still fizzed like soda. "What flavor do you want? I can transmute the other ingredients to make it whatever flavor you want, within reason, of course."

"Well, it's good that you've been there before. The dance's are not all that bad--they just take a lot of drive and focus. I bet you could, the dances start out extremely slow for beginners," Anniebelle commented. "Of course you can come visit, that's' why my family has a guest bedroom. You could do you experiments in the back shed my Father turned into a photo shop--doesn't have the time of day to use it anyways. No one will get suspicious because we have no neighbors for miles."

She then watched as he got up, finally moving one of her pieces on the board, "I would love a Vanilla Coke."

"Maybe some time I'll try that then. It does sound like fun," Jacob responded, shrugging his shoulders. "I won't be able to stay for too long. I do have to perform upkeep on this place, you know. Not to mention I have to help keep the school clean over summer in order to stay here." Nodding at her request with a smile, he focused on the liquid in the bottle, altering the ingredients to line up with Vanilla Coke to the letter. Then he handed her the bottle and did the same to his, having the same preference. He sat down and made his next move, taking a sip before leaning back again.

"Alright. I understand not being able to stay long, I could come back with you--if you'd like and help you out. I could help you clean and everything, I'm sure you wouldn't mind an extra set of hands. I won't have all that much to do when I go home anyways, the only thing I look forward to is the Summer Festival with the Druids--that's early Summer," Anniebelle spoke softly as she took the Vanilla Coke, "Thank you for the Coke."

"You're right about me needing the help. It's a pain to clean that castle before school starts again. Mr. Filch doesn't help matters either. He's quite lazy," Jacob said, taking another swig of his Coke. "I'll probably be gone for a week at the start for the Solstice Festival. My grandfather always pressures me to go, so I do. But my parents will be there, so... yeah. It's a pain. Don't worry about it though. I have more, and I can make more." Hearing a strange sound, he turned to Cassi, who was still sucking from the empty bottle. Chuckling, he went and got her another, glad that she was sleeping soundly.

"Well, I'm glad to be able to assist you--I bet the castle is a major pain to clean, I mean it's gigantic. I would figure that Mr. Filch doesn't do much of anything--only thing he really does is tries to catch students out of bed and monitors the hallways. Solstice Festival," Anniebelle chuckled, " Silly me that's what I meant too. I'm going to be back home for that so don't worry about it--it's kind of a big thing for my family. An I'm fine with one Coke, for me soda is a once and a while treat."

"They never said I can't use magic, so I do have some help from that. But your help will still be a great help," Jacob responded, placing Cassi's fresh bottle in her mouth before returning to the chessboard. "It's great that you can get together with your family like that. All that ever comes from me going is trouble. I enjoy a soda pretty often, and I've been working on a way to remove all the negative aspects, while still giving you the great taste." Leaning forward, he moved his rook, putting the king in check for the moment. It was easy to get out of, and was simply there to put pressure on her.

"Well, you're very fortunate, being able to music magic at any time--I'm betting it helps a lot," Anniebelle grinned as she moved another of her pieces. "Yeah, I guess it is good that my Family and I are getting along for the most part--the only bad thing is they insist on treating my every cut and scrape, with them being Doctor's and all they're on me at the first sign of anything. What do you mean by removing the negative aspects?"

"Like I said, I haven't been given express permission, but the Ministry just assumes that it's an adult doing it in the school, so I'm not investigated or nothing," he explained further, moving another one of his pieces on the black and white board. "Overprotective parents? That doesn't sound like fun, but at least they're not pressuring you to be carbon copies of themselves. And by negative aspects, I mean the sugar, fat, preservatives, etc. The stuff that makes soda bad for you basically. See, if I could isolate the taste, then I don't have to worry about all that junk. Might even be able to sell it."

Ciel wandered around school grounds, pondering some classes he should take the year to come. It was frustrating, knowing that he was going to be alone for a year, without Sebastian and Claude. He heard his owl, Layfan, squawk, as she dropped a small package into his hands. The front read 'Love Mum and Dad.' Immediately, Ciel set it on fire, and let it burn, before putting it out. There was a small cabin-like house, which caught Ciel's attention. Walking up to it, he slowly opened the door, looking at the two occupying it. "Pardon me," he muttered, staring at the two, who were playing chess.
Sebastian and Claude stood outside, arguing about Ciel. "Whoever makes it to him first, gets to spend the rest of the day with him." Sebastian went one way, while Claude went the other. He bolted across the grounds, where he spotted Ciel walking to. Sebastian soon found Ciel standing in the doorway of a cabin. "Ciel!" he gasped for air, bending over and gasping for breath, as Ciel contined staring at the two playing chess. It made Sebastian feel awkward, as he stood up fully, also looking at the two playing chess, not noticing Claude showing up behind him and Ciel.

((I really hate to be the one to tell you, but our characters are in a shed/cabin building on the edge of the property. Maybe have your characters stumble upon it and see lights, so they look inside? :3))